Transportation plan unveiled at summit

State transportation officials outlined a five-point plan to improve roads and bridges during a transportation summit held in Mexico, Missouri. The state Department of Transportation proposes a five-point plan at the summit to deal with Missouri transportation needs. Officials at the Missouri Department of Transportation propose rebuilding Interstates 70 and 44, taking care of current roads and bridges, providing other ways to move about the state, starting new projects, and meeting regional transportation needs.

MoDOT Chief Engineer Kevin Keith stated there has been a lot of discussion about transportation over the past year, but nothing has come of it. Keith suggested the state has to have a plan before a discussion of raising taxes occurs. Keith said MoDOT consulted regional planning commissions when putting this plan together and said transportation improvements are needed to keep the state competitive economically.

David Stokes with the free-market Show-Me Institute advocated using toll roads through public-private partnerships. Stokes, speaking at the summit, said he is not advocating toll roads across the state, but noted a toll bridge in Lake Ozark and the Indiana toll road are examples of how public-private partnership could benefit the state.